---
title: "Integrated Micro-Compounder with Tow Impregnation Die"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2026-04-20"
---

# Integrated Micro-Compounder with Tow Impregnation Die

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa

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## Summary

The University of Edinburgh has successfully completed the award process for the procurement of specialised polymer micro-compounder systems and auxiliary equipment, specifically an Integrated Micro-Compounder with Tow Impregnation Die. Located in Edinburgh, the procurement process involved awarding a contract to Xplore Instruments BV for goods categorised under machines and apparatus for testing and measuring. This contract, valued at EUR 333,400, falls under the 'award' and 'contract' stages of the procurement cycle, with the official signing scheduled for 31st March 2026. The process utilised a limited procurement method without prior publication due to technical reasons, recognising Xplore Instruments BV as the sole supplier capable of meeting rigorous specifications required by the University's School of Engineering.

This procurement contract presents growth opportunities particularly for businesses in the field of scientific equipment and specialised machinery manufacturing. Although only Xplore Instruments BV was identified as having the capability to fulfil the precise technical demands of this contract, it highlights the potential for innovative companies to explore and develop capabilities in highly specialised machinery. Organisations involved in research and development and those providing high-precision testing equipment could find similar opportunities within this sector, especially if they are able to offer unique solutions not widely available in the market.

## Notice

The University of Edinburgh is awarding a contract to Xplore Instruments BV for the supply, installation and ongoing servicing of a specialised polymer micro-compounder system and auxiliary equipment with two impregnation die. Through comprehensive market research, Xplore Instruments BV were identified as the only supplier capable of meeting the requirements.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Xplore Instruments were the only identified supplier capable of meeting the full technical specification required for the research programme. A key requirement is the availability of a specialised tow-to-tape impregnation die that can operate in-line with the polymer micro-compounder, enabling true fibre tow impregnation where molten polymer penetrates individual fibre filaments. Alternative suppliers contacted during market research, such as ThermoFisher and Nativa Sciences were contacted directly and were unable to provide this functionality, offering only coating dies that apply polymer to the surface of fibres rather than achieving full impregnation or systems of multiple pieces of equipment that had to be used rather than a single equipment and process Xplore's solution provided. A voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice was published on Public Contracts Scotland to notify the market of the University's intent to award a contract to Xplore Instruments BV. No challenge was received during the standstill period. As a result, no further information was received that other suppliers are able to provide an integrated system that meets the University's functional and research requirements and reducing the risk of the contract being put aside by a market challenge.

### Procurement Information

Xplore Instruments were the only identified supplier capable of meeting the full technical specification

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035492-2026 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £333,400 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1HT |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | XPLORE INSTRUMENTS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38540000 - Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring

## Release History

- 20 Apr 2026 at 09:39 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035492-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ed.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000828234
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0685fa.json.